Festive Faking (Rust Canyon #1)

24. Aspen

Chapter 24

Aspen

“I’m jealous.” Mac’s words were accompanied by a kiss to my temple.

I was situated between his open legs with my back to his chest, in the truck bed of Daddy’s vintage pickup, both our faces tilted toward the open sky. We’d made a little nest with pillows and blankets to lessen the chill from the cold metal of the vehicle beneath us, using any extra to shield us from the winter wind.

“Why’s that?” I sank into his embrace with his arms banded around my waist.

“You got to grow up here and see these stars every night.”

My lips twisted to the side. “Yeah, but I think knowing they were always there if I wanted to look up, I began to take them for granted.” A heavy sigh shook my chest. “And not just the stars. I didn’t come to truly appreciate what I had here until I left.”

Mac hummed. “I guess that’s what people mean when they talk about the grass being greener. Can’t imagine what kind of shock it was going from this to one of the largest cities in America.”

I huffed out a wry laugh. “You have no idea. Thankfully, I had Bex.”

“Your best friend, right?”

“Yeah.” I swallowed around the lump forming in my throat. I was missing her something fierce since she’d moved to Chicago. “Without her by my side, I don’t think I’d have lasted a week before running home. LA is a big, scary place full of millions of strangers. And don’t get me started on the traffic.”

A knowing chuckle sounded from behind me. “It’s the worst.”

“Everyone seems to be in such a rush out there. It’s always on to the next thing. There are days when I want to stand on the sidewalk and shout at them to slow down and appreciate what they’ve got.”

His hold around my middle tightened, and he rocked our bodies gently. “Maybe you should.”

I scoffed. “Doubt anyone would listen.”

“Probably not,” he conceded. “Not sure I would have before you brought me here and I got a chance to experience it for myself.”

“Careful, Mac,” I teased. “Your reputation as a city boy would be irreparably damaged if anyone found out how you’re falling in love with the country.”

His fingers tickled my sides, and I leapt up, trying to scamper away. I didn’t make it far, getting tangled up in the blankets surrounding us.

Mac caught me easily, flipping me over until I was flat on my back with him caging me in from above. Those brown eyes heated as our ragged breathing mixed.

“You gonna tell on me, Freckles?”

It was crazy to think that, only a few days ago, I hated that nickname. Now that I knew the story behind it? Hearing him say it warmed me from the inside out, no matter the temperature outside.

I chewed the corner of my lip. “Maaaaaaaybe.”

A near growl rumbled from his chest, and for some reason, I decided I wanted to push him over the edge.

My mischievous grin couldn’t be contained. “Now that I think about it, the world deserves to know.”

He clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “Guess you’ve left me no choice, then.”

Arching an eyebrow, I waited for him to explain.

“Gonna have to double my efforts tonight to ensure you don’t have a voice in the morning.”

Merry Christmas to me.

“You really have no one to blame but yourself, Aspen.” Those were the last words he said before his lips crashed down on mine, swallowing the needy moan that sounded on impact.

When his pelvis nestled into the cradle of my thighs, and his hard cock lined up against my core, I cursed the half-dozen layers of clothing that separated us.

Mac’s tongue thrust into my mouth at the same steady tempo as the rocking of his hips, driving me insane and making me desperate for a more thorough claiming. Having to make a choice about what to do with my hands, I slid them over his ass, urging him to move faster.

It didn’t work. Instead, he hitched one of my thighs over his hip, opening me up as he slowed down even more, his length pressed firmly against where I needed him.

My gasp broke our kiss. Mac took this as an opportunity to drag his mouth along my exposed neck, one hand skimming beneath my top to cup my bare breast and roll the hardened peak between his fingers.

“Tell me what you want.” He tugged an earlobe between his teeth.

“You.” My voice came out so breathy it was foreign to my ears.

That earned me a sharp tweak to my nipple, and I groaned, the action sending a bolt of pleasure straight to my throbbing clit and making my hips buck.

“You already have me, honey, so you’re going to need to be more specific.”

I threw my head back on a whine, frustration rising to the surface.

Twenty-four hours ago, I was a virgin. Did he really expect me to turn into a sexually confident woman overnight? If so, he would be sorely disappointed.

“How about this,” Mac rasped. “We pretend like we’re a couple of teenagers sneaking around. You got your Daddy to let you borrow his truck, and we’re getting hot and heavy in the back somewhere private. You’re not ready to go all the way, but I wanna make you feel good. We end up dry humping so I can get you off while, at the same time, I’m trying to keep from coming in my pants and embarrassing myself in front of the girl I like.”

A whimper caught in my throat at the role-play he suggested.

His lips buzzed against my skin when he chuckled. “I think we both know I’m likely to lose that battle. You drive me so fucking insane that I can’t control myself.”

Power coursed through my veins, the same as it had last night, at the idea of him coming unraveled because of me. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to push him past the breaking point, and that became my sole focus.

Spreading my thighs as far as they would go, I raised my hips, eager for the sweet relief of friction. Mac groaned into my neck but didn’t hold back; his fully clothed thrusts picked up immediately. The ridge of his dick fit perfectly against my seam, and I rubbed frantically against it, racing toward release.

Pressure built the faster we ground against each other, both of us chasing our pleasure.

“Oh God,” I moaned, teetering on the edge. “Right there. I’m gonna come.”

Grunting, he slid both hands beneath my ass, changing the angle, and I shattered, ecstasy bursting through my nerve endings. My scream split the air, floating toward the stars, which seemed to be dancing just for me.

“Breathe, Aspen,” Mac’s strained voice coaxed as his hips kept up their steady pace.

My lungs filled with air at his command.

“Ride it out, honey.”

Not like I had much choice. He had me pinned; each rough pass of his covered cock shot sparks through my nervous system until I grew too sensitive and begged him to stop.

Licking my lips as a shaky exhale escaped them, I marveled at how many different ways Mac had brought me to orgasm. This time, he’d done so without removing a single stitch of clothing. In fact, I was wearing extra.

My prior experience might’ve been non-existent, but Bex had shared hers with me over the years. From her stories, I’d learned it wasn’t always easy for women to achieve climax with a partner. The chemistry I shared with Mac, his ability to command my body so effortlessly, was special.

He would be the benchmark I used to measure the men who came after him. I was almost positive I would find them all lacking, and that thought had a shudder running through me.

“You’re cold. Let’s go inside.” Mac rose to his knees, offering me a hand.

My eyes dipped to his crotch; he was still rock-hard, no wet spot to be seen. A feeling of inadequacy crashed over me, causing my shoulders to slump.

Had I done something wrong that prevented him from getting off? I wanted to ask but was too afraid of the answer, so I kept my lips pressed firmly shut.

Concern colored his tone. “Something wrong? You went from a sexually satisfied vixen to a sad puppy.” He snapped his fingers. “Like that.”

I couldn’t meet his gaze, electing to keep it trained on the blankets twisted around my legs. Summoning every ounce of courage I possessed, I stated the obvious, “You didn’t finish.”

“Failing to see how that’s a bad thing.” Chilled fingers gripped my chin, forcing my eyes up. “Most girls would be thrilled that I didn’t blow too soon.”

His mention of other women set me over the top, and I wrenched out of his hold.

He was so stunned that it took him a moment to spring into action when I hopped off the back of the truck so fast that I almost face-planted.

Heavy footfalls alerted me that he was hot on my heels, and I quickened my pace. If I got to the cabin first, maybe I could lock myself in the bathroom for a minute to calm down.

I yelped when Mac cut me off, stepping in front of me so that I slammed right into his hard chest.

With a steadying grip on my biceps, he forced me backward until I was standing at arm’s length. “What the hell, Aspen?” A flicker of both confusion and hurt was etched across his features.

Shrugging my shoulders, I pulled out of his grip, putting even more space between us. “I’m not most girls !” My nostrils flared, breaths coming in short puffs that created icy clouds in the air.

Instead of backing down, Mac stepped into me until our chests touched. One hand tangled in my hair and gripped the strands at the nape of my neck, causing me to gasp. “You’ve got that right, honey. Most girls would be having a private moment in a quiet library, and I’d turn tail to avoid entangling myself in their drama. Most girls don’t make me smile by simply walking into a room. Most girls don’t know what it’s like to fall asleep in my arms. And if all of that’s not enough, most girls don’t know and probably wouldn’t like the guy I am when you strip away the wealth and connections my last name provides. You are the furthest thing from most girls , Aspen Sullivan.”

The part he’d left unsaid hung heavy between us. If I wasn’t most girls , did that mean I was the girl?

Not wanting to pull on that thread for fear of misreading between the lines, I challenged, “Then why wasn’t I enough?”

“Enough?” His brows furrowed.

I shifted my hips, rubbing against his erection. “It didn’t take much the last time. When you were driving.”

His mouth dropped open, and a disbelieving exhale flew out. “ That’s what this all stemmed from? You think it’s your fault that I managed to hang onto the tiniest shred of willpower to hold off until I was buried deep inside that hot, tight pussy of yours?”

Well, when he put it like that . . .

Embarrassment blazed a path up my neck and onto my cheeks. With how he held my head immobile, there was no way to avoid his burning gaze.

“And for the record”—his face filled my entire field of vision—“one more thrust, and I’d have been done for. I was that close.”

I shoved at his chest, needing space to breathe. He let me go easily, and I stumbled backward a few steps, placing my hands on my knees to try and clear the black spots dancing across everything I saw.

“What was your plan in the unlikely event you managed to outrun me?”

Head popping up, I found Mac standing a few feet away with both hands shoved into the pockets of his sweatpants.

My cringe was audible. “Hide in the bathroom?”

The man actually snorted; he was so amused.

Saying it out loud, I heard how silly it sounded. What was I gonna do? Camp out in there all night? It’s not like there was even a tub I could sleep in. Logic kinda flew out the window when I’d let my temper take over.

“Wasn’t exactly my best idea,” I grumbled.

A smirk teased the corner of his lips. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

I eyed him quizzically. “I am?”

“Personally, I can’t think of a better place to get you all warmed up after spending a couple of hours outdoors.”

My breathing grew shallow, and the dull throb between my thighs kicked up into high gear as the memory of him alone in the shower came to mind, followed by a pornographic vision of what it might look like with the two of us together.

Oh my.

He extended his hand, allowing me to meet him halfway. The minute our fingers touched, Mac maneuvered me until I was curled into his side, and he dipped his head to whisper huskily, “Can still hear that voice of yours loud and clear, not a single trace of hoarseness. Gonna have to keep working on that.”

The buckling of my knees had me stumbling, but Mac’s arm around my waist held strong, keeping me upright.

“Dirty girl,” he murmured. “Bet those panties are a mess. Gonna get you nice and clean.”

Jesus. Where the hell had he learned how to talk like that? Not that I was complaining because he wasn’t wrong. I could feel the slickness coating the lining of my underwear, both from my earlier release and the filthy promises of what was to come.

My hearing was muted, so I barely noticed the door latching behind us once we made our way inside.

“Come on.” A firm hand on my lower back helped to guide me through the small space until we reached the partitioned bathroom.

Mac only left my side long enough to reach into the shower and turn on the water, allowing it to heat. Gently, he eased the coat off my shoulders before guiding my hands above my head. He made quick work of the layers, helping me to shed them one by one until I stood naked before him.

Unlike earlier, I wanted him to gaze upon every bared inch. But more than that, I wanted to feel him pressed against me, skin to skin.

He grabbed my face roughly and kissed me hard before pulling back with a groan. “Stop looking at me like that, or you’re gonna have me painting your pretty skin with my cum before I’m even inside you.”

“I want you, Mac.” I gripped my breasts, desperate for him to touch me.

“I don’t just want you, Aspen. I need you,” he countered, stroking his stiff shaft.

There was a fleeting moment where I wondered what the difference was, but I pushed the thought away as steam filled the room.

Wait a minute . . .

“Why wasn’t there steam the night I caught you in here?” I blurted.

“God, you really don’t know?” When I merely blinked at him, he explained, “It was a cold shower.”

My brows drew down. “But why would you . . .” I still didn’t get it.

“Oh, honey.” His free hand came up to cup my face. “I was so hot for you; I thought it would cool me down enough to get some fucking sleep without a raging boner keeping me up all night. As you well know, it didn’t work and I had to take care of the situation the old-fashioned way.”

A surprised noise caught at the back of my throat.

Looping an arm around my waist, Mac hauled me to him, and I sighed when our bodies made contact. He pressed a possessive palm against my lower back, making me arch into his hold, and I shimmied my hips, relishing the feeling of us pressed flush and wanting more.

His throaty groan had my thighs pressing together. “Hop in. I’m right behind you.”

You didn’t have to tell me twice. The minute he released me, I hustled my butt to get beneath the warm spray, keeping the glass door open so he could join me.

I watched in fascination as he efficiently ripped open a foil packet with his teeth and slid a condom down his length. A giggle sounded when an overheard high school convo of a group of boys calling them raincoats came to mind. In this case, that description sure was fitting.

Mac arched an eyebrow as he stepped toward me. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”

I bit back a moan when he stepped under the showerhead and rivulets of warm water cascaded over his golden flesh. Wet hair fell into his eyes as he stared down at me with an intensity that left me squirming.

Without warning, I was lifted into his arms, my back pinned to the tile wall. The contrast of the hot, hard body pressed to mine and the cold shower wall made my head swim. But it damn near exploded when his cock shoved inside me in a single slam.

My mouth opened to suck in air, but my lungs wouldn’t expand. Fingers dug into my ass so hard that I knew there’d be bruises left behind. Mac spread me open wider, grunting dirty words in my ear about how good I felt, how he’d never get enough, and claiming me as his.

There wasn’t time for doubt to creep in—that it was just the lust talking on that final point—because he changed tactics. Instead of pounding into me, he switched it up so that he was lifting my body while holding his stationary, practically bouncing me on his cock.

A dull thud sounded when my head dropped back, the pleasure closing in on me from all sides as he hit the perfect spot.

“Don’t stop,” I begged.

Hoarse words came in reply. “Honey, I couldn’t fucking stop if a tornado blew through this cabin.”

Groaning, I chastised, “You can’t say that around these parts. That could actually happen.”

“Bring it on. Still wouldn’t stop me.”

My insides coiled tighter and tighter, his pelvis grazing my clit each time our bodies crashed together. Like a live wire, I sparked, getting ready to catch fire.

I could tell he was close when he gritted out, “Need you to come.”

My nails dug into his shoulders. “I’m right there.”

He pulled me down one final time, grinding us together, and that set me off. My back bowed, my pussy clamped down, and I screamed his name on repeat as bliss shot out toward my extremities.

“Fuck, Aspen.” Mac’s guttural groan accompanied those words, and his dick pulsed within me.

The water had cooled with how long we’d spent under it, but neither of us made a move to exit, still connected as we caught our breath.

I stroked Mac’s wet hair away from where his face was buried in my neck and smiled to myself.

Never again would I take a shower and not think of him.